A council in Nottingham will only serve plant-based foods at its internal meetings after agreeing to the demands of a campaign group targeting local authorities.
Nottingham City Council announced the decision to offer 100 per cent “dairy and meat free” options for “drinks and refreshments” at a recent meeting of its Full Council.
Campaign group Plant-Based Councils had been lobbying the City Council to change policy for more than a year, describing the decision as “amazing.”
The Labour-run authority says the move will be implemented at all of the council’s internal meetings from the end of September as part of its drive toward net-zero.
Campaign group Plant-Based Councils had been lobbying the City Council to change policy for more than a yearPlant-based councils“This topic is close to my heart,” said Cllr Sam Lux, Executive Member for Carbon Reduction.
“Our internal catering budget is really small given the financial constraints we are faced with, so it’s largely just teas and coffees and light refreshments.”
The authority, which announced effective bankruptcy a year ago, has stressed the café used by staff and the public will be unaffected by the new policy.
However, facilities will be used for “promoting benefits” of plant-based foods on diet and the environment during a week of “substituting for all drinks unless specifically requested otherwise,” said Cllr Lux.
Adding: “This is to encourage our employees to try these alternatives and to increase their uptake.”
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Cllr Sam Lux said the topic is close to her heart
Nottingham City Council
Six other councils, including Oxfordshire, Cambridge, and Exeter have already agreed to similar policies around serving plant-based foods across internal catering.
The national campaign is by the animal welfare and environmental group Animal Rising.
“It has been amazing to see our support grow exponentially,” said Ilana Parrwood, 26, of Plant-Based Councils.
“It’s widely accepted now that plant-based food and drinks bring so many benefits, particularly around helping our wildlife via emissions reductions and land-use improvements.”
“It’s great to see Nottingham City Council leading by example,” she added.
Nottingham City Council stressed the café used by staff and the public will be unaffected by the new policy
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Nottingham City Council has set the target of becoming the first council in the UK to become carbon neutral by 2028.
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: “One of the ways we are helping to do this is by changing the way we offer catering options for internal meetings.”
Milk and biscuits are two of the refreshments to be replaced by vegan alternatives.
“We are looking to offer dairy and meat free for drinks and refreshments, however we will take into account the customers’ dietary needs and requests,” said the council.